Game 2009.017: Tigers at Royals

PREGAME: There was a time when Kyle Davies wasn’t scary to face. Now the dude has 21 strikeouts in 18.1 innings and sports a 2.89 ERA. After back to back losses the Tigers are back at .500 and they’ll need to find some way to muster some offense to have a chance at posting a winning record on the road trip. Davies has pretty much scrapped his slider and is throwing his change-up much more. He’s also improved his rate of first pitch strikes.

The Tigers send out Zach Miner who is returning to the rotation after 3 off days in a week negated the need for a 5th starter. Miner pitched a good game against the Blue Jays, and was shelled on a cold and wet day against the White Sox. Hopefully it’s more of the former Miner that shows up. He’s made 2 starts and 5 appearances total at Kaufman Stadium but has yet to allow a run in 18.1 innings.

Zach Miner was shaky the first few innings. He either had too much movement on his fastball, or he was pitching scared. He was living in the right hand batters box against lefties, but he managed to escape any damage. By the end he was cruising and picked up the easy win.

Gerald Laird and Magglio Ordonez hit their first homers of the year and now there are 7 Tigers who have gone deep this year. Laird’s hit was part of a 3 hit night.

Granderson hit his 4th homer in the last 5 games and with 3 homers tonight it is FREE ROAST BEEF SANDWICH TIME. Just print off a box score and head to Arby’s tomorrow. Yeah!

Some excellent defense in this one as well. It was the good Adam Everett and he and Placido Polanco teamed up for some nice plays.

The bullpen, which was used extensively in this one (which I don’t really get) was solid enough. Joel Zumaya pitched a scoreless 9th. He allowed 2 hits but was helped by a double play ball.

I remember Bonderman having the same problem last year. Everything would tail away, away, away. Maybe Miner needs to have a rib or two removed.

Mr. X

April 25, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Granderson!!

Ken in Las Vegas

April 25, 2009 at 7:49 pm

Atta boy Grandy

Ken in Las Vegas

April 25, 2009 at 7:50 pm

I’m thirsting to see a Magglio home run.

billfer

April 25, 2009 at 7:51 pm

Hopefully with a 4 run lead Zach is a little more aggressive.

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 7:53 pm

Would swapping Ordonez and Cabrera make any sense? Miguel just doesn’t seem to be getting much to hit.

Coleman

April 25, 2009 at 7:55 pm

Ah, there were 2 outs, but you can see Carlos still has the GIDP swing working…

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 8:05 pm

Wow. Thank you, Teahen. Instead of bases loaded with one out, the inning somehow ends without them scoring.

Coleman

April 25, 2009 at 8:08 pm

Brian P: I was just wondering how it would work if they tried Anderson leadoff and Granderson 5th…

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 8:23 pm

So Humberto Sanchez was released by the Yankees — that means none of the prospects we gave up for Sheffield panned out.

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 8:27 pm

I don’t know. Billfer already mentioned Anderson’s history low OBP isn’t suitable for the leadoff spot. But I could see Granderson moving down in the order when Ordonez and Guillen ride off into the sunset.

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 8:39 pm

The elusive gapper! Triple!

Andrew in Toronto

April 25, 2009 at 8:45 pm

Nice. We needed a game like this.

Coleman

April 25, 2009 at 8:47 pm

Ha! If you want to beat Detroit you gotta beat our 7-9 guys, and if you don’t you’re gonna pay bigtime…(Grandy can be an honorary 7-9er…they say the 9 hitter is like a 2nd leadoff hitter, so the leadoff hitter is like a 2nd #9 hitter)

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 8:50 pm

Um. Why pull Miner with 83 pitches and an 8 run lead?

Mr. X

April 25, 2009 at 8:52 pm

I want to see some Zoom Zoom.

Russ

April 25, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Grrr….why take out the only quality starting pitcher you have! Let the man finish what he started. All Hail Miner! The Tigers’ new ace!

(ok…or not)

Russ

April 25, 2009 at 8:55 pm

so let me if i have the straght: Miner has now blanked the Royals 24.1 innings in a row now?

Coleman

April 25, 2009 at 8:56 pm

Cabrera’s got some funky shoes..

Russ

April 25, 2009 at 8:56 pm

WOO HOO!!! GO SEAY!!!!

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 8:57 pm

Just let Seay finish the inning! I guess Jim wants to use everyone he has out there tonight.

Russ

April 25, 2009 at 8:58 pm

@ Brian P: No foolin’! Bodes well for seeing Zumaya tonight I guess.

Scott

April 25, 2009 at 9:04 pm

man, Laird is just smokin’ hot right now….nice to see. Also, I wasn’t sure about this Josh Anderson trade when they did it….but it looks like he’s gonna be ok too. And I would like to thank the ump for calling the KC guy out when Cabrera missed the bag at first….

Mr. X

April 25, 2009 at 9:22 pm

It’s probably smart to have Lyon pitch in these mop up situations. Keep Seay sharp, but keep him fresh for when we really need him.

Russ

April 25, 2009 at 9:33 pm

I only have gameday. is zumaya warming up?

Russ

April 25, 2009 at 9:36 pm

nevermind. just heard he is.

Brian P

April 25, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Yaaaaaay, Magglio! Free Arby’s.

Russ

April 25, 2009 at 9:44 pm

heeeeee’s baaaaaaaackkkk!

Brenden

April 25, 2009 at 9:47 pm

So, what’s going on with Cabrera? Is he injured?

Mr. X

April 25, 2009 at 9:49 pm

Sweet win. Back in 1st place too.

Ryan

April 25, 2009 at 11:59 pm

Wait, how does this Arby’s thing work?

Ryan P.

April 26, 2009 at 12:16 am

Print the box score off from mlb.com, or cut it out of the newspaper. Get a free sandwhich. I have no idea what sandwhich though, or if you get a choice. If you could get one of those roast burgers I’d be all over it, although I doubt they’d take it in Indiana.

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